Kapitel 65: Chapter 65: You Must Return It to Me.
Before every mission, members of the Blood Asura Battalion are given an opportunity to visit their families.
This is a rare show of humanity, considering that each mission could very well be their last. For both the member and their family, this visit might be their final farewell.
After a year, Xu Ming returned to the Xu Manor.
There had been no prior notice of his arrival, so when the steward of the Xu Manor saw Xu Ming at the gates, he immediately went to inform the matriarch and others.
The Xu family was well aware of the rules of the Blood Asura Battalion.
Xu Ming's return at this time, even without explanation, made it clear to everyone why he was back.
As for the Blood Asura Battalion's missions, anyone in the Kingdom of Wu knew what they signified.
The expressions of those looking at Xu Ming were complicated. If something were to happen to him, they might not even recover his body.
However, at this point, as a member of the Blood Asura Battalion, Xu Ming could not refuse his mission. To do so would be to defy the Imperial Order. Any attempts at persuasion from his family would be futile.
Returning to his courtyard, Xu Ming realized his mother was not there.
According to his aunt, his mother had been granted permission to return to her hometown to pay respects to their ancestors.
The white goose had gone with her.
Knowing the white goose was there to protect her gave Xu Ming some comfort.
By now, the Xu family had also realized the extraordinary nature of the white goose, as it seemed to be on the verge of transforming into a spirit beast.
Still, no one harbored any untoward thoughts, such as trying to cook it or giving it away.
After all, few were foolish enough to provoke a goose showing signs of sentience. In time, it could very well become a guardian for the Xu family.
Besides, since Chen Suya was part of the Xu family and unlikely to leave, the white goose would naturally stay with her.
More importantly, the goose, nearing its spiritual awakening, wasn't worth offending Xu Ming over.
It was obvious to everyone that if Xu Ming returned from the Blood Asura Battalion and later passed the imperial exams, his future would be limitless. Someone powerful was clearly determined to groom him.
Thus, the Xu family even provided the white goose with cultivation resources to win Xu Ming's favor.
That night, sitting in the empty courtyard, Xu Ming felt a tinge of loneliness.
Looking around at the familiar Xiaochun Courtyard where he had lived since birth, Xu Ming couldn't help but wonder if he would ever return alive.
"Fifth Brother."
Just as Xu Ming was lost in thought, Xu Pangda poked his head through the courtyard gate, holding a small box—likely containing 'leftover' pastries from his mother.
"Third Brother," Xu Ming greeted with a smile.
Xu Pangda walked over and sat beside Xu Ming, placing the box on the table. "Fifth Brother, my mother made another batch of pastries. These are leftovers. Try some."
"Alright."
Xu Ming smiled, opened the box, and took a piece.
"How does it taste?" Xu Pangda asked eagerly.
"It's even better than before," Xu Ming replied with a nod.
"I thought so too!" Xu Pangda said, grinning sheepishly.
After a moment of silence, Xu Ming looked at him. "I heard you didn't take part in the imperial examinations this year?"
Xu Pangda nodded. "That's right."
Xu Ming frowned slightly. "Why not?"
Xu Pangda scratched his head shyly. "I just feel like the exams wouldn't be complete without you. So, I told Mother I'll wait four more years. That way, we brothers can take the exams together and both make the honor roll!"
Xu Ming was momentarily stunned but then nodded with a smile. "Alright."
"Fifth Brother," Xu Pangda called out.
"Hmm?" Xu Ming responded, taking a sip of tea.
"They say every mission for the Blood Asura Battalion is a matter of life and death. Is that true?" Xu Pangda asked anxiously.
"It's not as exaggerated as that, but it is indeed very dangerous," Xu Ming explained.
"Oh..." Xu Pangda nodded, then took out a talisman from his pocket.
"What's this?" Xu Ming asked curiously.
Scratching his head awkwardly, Xu Pangda said, "This is a protective talisman I wore when I was a child. Mother said I had a severe illness back then, and a powerful cultivator drew this talisman to protect me.
It doesn't really serve much purpose now, so I'm giving it to you, Fifth Brother.
But you have to promise to return it to me when you come back."
Looking at the clumsy, sincere Pangda, Xu Ming smiled. "Alright, I'll definitely return it to you when I come back."
---
In a secluded courtyard in the eastern part of Wudu, a man with slicked-back hair pushed open the gate.
The moment he stepped in, the dozen or so children in the courtyard all turned to look at him.
In an instant, their eyes lit up with joy.
"Brother Li!"
"Brother Li!"
The children rushed toward Li Han with excitement.
"Heh, I'm back," the man said, setting down the bags he carried. "I bought roasted duck for you all—half a duck each."
"Yay!"
"Thank you, Brother Li!"
"Let's eat!"
The children each grabbed their portion and sat orderly at the wooden table in the courtyard, eating without any squabbling.
"You're back?"
From one of the rooms emerged a young woman who looked to be in her early twenties.
She wasn't particularly beautiful, but her face was clean and gentle. Dressed in simple linen clothing with her hair tied in twin braids, she exuded an understated charm.
"Sister Ye Ye, I'm back," Li Han greeted her with a grin.
Ye Ye walked over and gestured with her hand. "You've grown taller—taller than me now."
"The food in the army is good," Li Han said with a silly smile. Then, hurriedly pulling a cloth from his pocket, he unfolded it to reveal a hairpin. "Sister Ye Ye, this is for you."
Ye Ye stared at the golden hairpin in surprise. She didn't refuse it, but neither did she immediately accept it. "This must have been expensive."
"Not too much," Li Han said as he opened her hand and placed the hairpin in her palm. "Please take it, Sister Ye Ye. The army pays us well—I couldn't even spend it all."
Ye Ye glanced at him and then nodded. "Alright, I'll take it. But aren't you supposed to only return every four or five years?"
"Ah, this time... this time I passed a test in the army, so I got a one-day leave. I have to return tomorrow," Li Han said, lying without hesitation.
Ye Ye looked into his eyes for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Since it's rare for you to be back, I'll cook something good for you."
"Great!" Li Han said, wiping his mouth dramatically. "I've been craving your spicy chicken, Sister Ye Ye."
Ye Ye chuckled. "I'll make it for you. You sit tight for now."
"Okay."
Li Han played with the children for a while, occasionally glancing at Ye Ye as she busied herself in the kitchen.
When no one was watching, he slipped into her room and quietly placed his entire year's salary under her pillow.
After making sure everything was in place, he walked out, watching Ye Ye bustling in the kitchen.
Touching the coin tied around his neck with a red string, he grinned foolishly, his large hand clutching it tightly.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein